Freddie Mercury Biopic Still Scheduled to Star Sacha Baron Cohen

Film producer Graham King says he’s still planning on filming a biopic about Queen frontman Freddie Mercury in 2012, and Sacha Baron Cohen is still planning on playing the lead role. It’d be a rare serious role for Cohen, best known for starring in films like ‘Borat (2006)’ and ‘Bruno (2009).’

In an interview with CinemaBlend King says Cohen is the perfect choice to play the late Mercury. “Who better to play Freddie Mercury than Sacha Baron Cohen,” he asked rhetorically. “He’s so talented, and you see a side to him in ‘Hugo’ that no one had ever seen before. Very emotional, and very heartfelt.”

‘Hugo’ is a Martin Scorsese film that opens on Wednesday. IMDB.com describes it as “set in 1930s Paris, an orphan who lives in the walls of a train station is wrapped up in a mystery involving his late father and an automaton.” Cohen plays the station inspector.

Mercury died in 1991 after complications from AIDS. Queen has carried on without him, most recently putting their music in the hands of amateurs. The Queen Extravaganza finals are scheduled to be completed next month.